A couple bad apples - who happen to be two of the franchise's biggest stars - run the risk of damaging the image of the Pittsburgh Steelers...unless they start winning again in September.

The current sports media culture feasts on controversy and type of allegations currently swirling around the Pittsburgh Steelers, and as a result, the days of "good guys" and "bad guys" and "model franchises" is over.

While Steelers stars Ben Roethlisberger and Santonio Holmes are certainly not bolstering their franchise's stature, the allegations against them have not seriously damaged the Pittsburgh franchise...at least not yet.

Will the current allegations surrounding Pittsburgh Steelers stars Ben Roethlisberger and Santonio Holmes have a lingering effect on the franchise?

While the current allegations surrounding Ben Roethlisberger and Santonio Holmes could form a lingering cloud over the Pittsburgh Steelers franchise, like so many other off-season incidents, these will eventually fade away from the media spotlight.

The Steelers need only look to their AFC north neighbors in Cincinnati for proof that legal trouble and negative media attention can irreparably damage an NFL franchise.

Off-the-field trouble can adversely affect on the field performance, but if the team's current legal trouble blows over as it appears it could, Ben Roethlisberger, Santonio Holmes and the Steelers should return to the playoffs sooner rather than later.

Posted by Larry Brown, on March 30, 2010 12:00 AM

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ozpunk: Big Ben and Santonio are in trouble again? The luster is gone. Get used to hearing this Steelers fans: "Charlie Batch, incomplete pass in...